Case on Ohioan's online post on shootings dropped

MEDINA, Ohio (AP) -- A case has been dismissed against a suburban Cleveland man accused of inducing panic for a Facebook posting that cheered the school shootings in Newtown, Conn.

Joseph Resovsky had pleaded not guilty, arguing the comments were protected under the First Amendment. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio had defended the 20-year-old Resovsky of Columbus Station in Municipal Court in Medina (meh-DY'-nuh).

Police had said the posting on Dec. 14, the day of the Connecticut shootings, concerned people who thought it was an endorsement of school violence.

The ACLU said Friday's dismissal confirms that the speech was protected. The organization's legal director says the comments may have offended people, but they weren't illegal.

A message seeking comment was left with the Medina city law prosecutor.